Taxi Scam at the airport

I just got back from my first trip to NYC. I'm sure this happens at any airport with tourists incoming.

I made the mistake of catching a ride from the airport in a 'taxi'. I don't know why I did it, it happened so fast. I went to the taxi line, and a guy grabbed me asking if I needed a taxi. I figured he was driving one of the cabs parked on the curb.

Nope. We walked to the garage and everything inside me was telling me to turn around. I kept going. He loaded my luggage into an SUV and I hopped in. I didn't see any sort of credentials but he was very persuasive and he got me.

We got to the exit, he says, give me $25. I'll take it off your fare.

Once we got to the highway, he tells me it will be $125. It would've been a $50 cab ride. I live in a big city, so I knew exactly the situation I was in. I was in a car with a stranger who has all of my belongings in a strange city.

I just accepted fate and rolled with it. He was trying really hard to make me forget that I paid for the garage. Complimented his hustle even. Made sure he knew I was only going to pay him $100 plus tip and just asked that he get me there safe.

He was REALLY nice about it. I should've gotten his license number. Again, it happened so quick. Lesson learned.

I can only imagine what the cost would've been had I been staying in Manhattan.